Chapter 47 Where Did the Money Go

She could not manage Lin Xiu's affairs; for now, developing her career was her top priority.

Su Mian had no intention of letting Lin Xiu meddle with her shares, so she took out her phone and made a call to a friend far abroad.

The phone rang for more than ten seconds before the other party answered. Awakened from sleep, the voice sounded quite resentful: "Who is this?"

Su Mian chuckled and asked, "It has been over a year, and your temper has grown quite a bit, hasn't it?"

Hearing the familiar voice, the person on the other end immediately turned respectful: "I wouldn't dare. You must have misheard."

Su Mian had no time to exchange pleasantries with her. If she started bantering, they would probably chat all day without getting down to business.

Calling her directly by name, she asked, "Si Nan, how are the studio's earnings recently?"

Si Nan asked excitedly, "It's truly a miracle. So Master, you still remember that you have a career of your own? Tell me, what made you suddenly think of asking about this?"

This disciple was becoming more and more audacious, actually daring to make fun of her.

Su Mian gave a light cough and said, "It seems you've grown bold. Keep acting so disrespectful and I might just expel you from the sect, then find a more obedient and well-behaved disciple."

Knowing that Su Mian was only joking, Si Nan did not take it to heart.

She reported in a somewhat frustrated tone, "Ever since you went missing over a year ago, the studio's performance hasn't been good. A few employees even left a few days ago. What on earth happened to you over the past year? Would it be convenient to tell me?"

Thinking back on everything that had happened over the past three years felt just like a dream. Now that the dream was over, however, it was time to get down to serious business.

Su Mian felt a sense of relief and curved the corners of her mouth: "It's nothing. Get ready and try to relocate the studio back to the country next month."

Thinking she was experiencing tinnitus, Si Nan asked again for confirmation: "What? Are you serious?"

"Yes, that's right. Prepare properly, and I'll see you in the country next month."

After hanging up the phone, Si Nan began contacting the former employees who had left and shared this good news with them.

The next day, just as Su Mian reached the entrance of the company, she was intercepted by Lin Xiu: "Mianmian, do you still have any money on you?"

Su Mian froze, feeling somewhat bewildered. Had she not already given her living expenses previously?

How long had it been? At the rate Lin Xiu spent money, even a mountain of gold and silver would not be enough for her to squander.

Noticing her confusion, Lin Xiu frowned and said, "The little bit of money you gave didn't last long at all. Your younger brother recently enrolled in some interest classes, and I haven't saved any money myself. As his elder sister, can't you help shoulder some of the burden?"

Su Mian felt somewhat helpless. Knowing she had no money, why couldn't she just keep her feet on the ground and live a proper life?

Seeing her remain unmoved, Lin Xiu spoke again: "I have no choice either. Ever since your younger brother was born, the Huo family hasn't really paid much attention to him. After your uncle passed away, apart from giving a meager monthly living allowance, they haven't invested any effort in raising him. I'm left with no alternative."

Su Mian took out her phone, unlocked the screen, and asked, "What interest classes? How much do they cost?"

Taking advantage of Su Mian's momentary distraction, Lin Xiu snatched the phone from her hand and cleared out the entire balance.

Looking at the balance of 0.00 yuan, Su Mian grew angry: "Mom, am I not a human being? Don't I need to eat and have a social life?"

As soon as the money arrived in the account, Lin Xiu rushed out to squander it, completely unconcerned about Su Mian's survival: "Mianmian, this money is being spent on your younger brother. Besides, haven't you already gotten your hands on your father's shares?"

"Furthermore, your eldest brother cares for you deeply. If you don't have money for food, just go find him. He certainly won't let you starve."

Lin Xiu's shamelessness truly knew no lower limits. If this continued, she would either die of anger or be dragged down by her sooner or later.

Sensing something was amiss, Su Mian realized that even if Lin Xiu were hard-pressed for money, she wouldn't discard the last shred of decency between mother and daughter unless there was a hidden story behind this matter.

That evening after work, Su Mian went to the Huo family residence, determined to find out what Lin Xiu wanted with so much money.

Seeing Su Mian arrive, Huo Beinian was quite surprised: "Elder Sister, why are you here?"

She stepped forward and rubbed his cheek: "I came to check on you all. Where is Mom?"

Holding the remote control, he frowned deeply: "Who knows where she's gone this time? If you want to find her, you'll probably have to spend the night here."

That meant she was frequently away from home. Su Mian suddenly recalled the male voice that had appeared during her phone call last night.

A vague suspicion formed in Su Mian's heart. Lin Xiu had always been shrewd, but ever since the unpleasantness with her second aunt, she had been acting increasingly outrageous lately. Regardless of whether she had a relationship with that man, this matter alone would spell disaster for her if the Huo family ever found out.

Softening her tone, she gently inquired, "I heard Mom say she enrolled you in some interest classes. What talents are you studying lately?"

Huo Beinian looked bewildered: "What interest classes? Elder Sister, what are you talking about?"

Su Mian instantly felt as though darkness had descended before her eyes. It turned out that not a single cent of the money Lin Xiu had extorted from her had been spent on Huo Beinian.

The brother and sister exchanged words back and forth until the time reached six-thirty in the evening.

Lin Xiu hurried back and greeted Su Mian with a guilty conscience upon seeing her: "Mianmian, why are you here?"

Knowing she had a guilty conscience as a thief, Su Mian did not rush to expose her, wanting to see how long she could keep up the act.

At that moment, a man followed closely behind Lin Xiu into the house. He looked equally surprised upon seeing Su Mian.

In the next second, however, he recovered his composure and placed several shopping bags he was carrying onto the sofa: "Madam, I have brought the items inside for you. I'll take my leave first. Call me if you need anything else."

Su Mian had glanced at the man when he first entered. He looked familiar, though she couldn't recall where she had seen him.

However, his voice overlapped with the one she had heard on the phone the previous night, and everything suddenly became clear to her.

Sitting composedly on the sofa, Lin Xiu admired her spoils of war and asked, "Mianmian, what are you thinking about?"

Pulling back her thoughts, Su Mian got straight to the point: "Mom, you should know very well that I have no money left. If you spend this sum as well, you and my younger brother will simply have to starve!"

Lin Xiu looked displeased: "I am your mother. Since when is it your place to lecture me?"

Patting Huo Beinian's hair, Su Mian smiled and said, "Beinian, go upstairs first. I have something to discuss with Mom."

Huo Beinian hurried upstairs, not wanting to linger in the living room for even a second, fearing he might get caught in the crossfire if the two women started arguing.

Su Mian sat down, tried her best to remain calm, and asked, "Who was that man just now, and what does he do?"

Lin Xiu's hand paused in its motion, the corners of her mouth twitching unnaturally. Trying her best to appear calm, she replied, "Why are you acting so mysterious, child? That's our family's driver. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"